North around Cabo Corrientes

The weather reports were showing some improvements toward the end of the week. We had discussion and decided to make the run around Cabo Corrientes on Thursday night. It is approx 96 miles from Chamela and we estimated the time to La Cruz at around 16 hours.

Our departure was 9 PM from Chamela as we motor sailed around Punta Perula and turned north. The wind built to 20-25 kts and seas continued to build from 6 foot swells to possibly 8 foot with a 5-6 second spacing. Wind waves gathered on top of the swell to form steep sided walls of water which we took on the nose. The maximum winds were 30 kts with occasional gusts as we approached Corrientes. We had been motoring at 80% RPM with a reefed main making 4-4.5 kts. The 16 hour run was now looking like it would be around 20 hours into the late afternoon as we approached Cabo Corrientes. Once we rounded the point the winds dropped to 21 kts. We shook out the reef, unfurled the jib and made 7.5 kts across Banderas Bay under full canvas to the La Cruz anchorage. It felt wonderfully secure and absolutely exhausting when we dropped anchor and settled for the night.

The next morning we went into the marina at La Cruz to clean up the boat and take care of the typical boat chores. The biggest item was washing the boat and removing all the salt from surfaces, dropping laundry at the lavanderia and washing the rugs onboard. We met up with cruising friends and had some street meat and beers downtown La Cruz. We were able to discuss the passage with the crew from Distraction that sailed down with us from Chamela. We could see their navigation lights most of the passage about 1-2 miles off our beam. One of the crew members said she came up for her watch during the night. All she could see was a wall of water coming over the bow and her only thought was “Oh my god!” They arrived about an hour ahead of us in La Cruz. They have a very fast boat but I think over all we had a smoother ride and stayed a lot drier on Talos IV.

The balance of time in La Cruz has been spent going to the Sunday market, visiting Punta de Mita (a bus adventure) and visiting with others at the dock. As I write this entry we are relocated to a new marina in Puerta Vallarta at Paradise Village. Paul wanted to come over here to have easier access to some of the marine suppliers and Home Depot. Tomorrow we need to get some boat supplies in town. Afterward we can enjoy the classy resort pool which has a crocodile slide! Once again we are watching the weather for the north bound trek. The plan is to leave on the next window and head for Chacala.

Hanging out in Chamela before our departure north.

The crew from sv Distraction, Vallerie, Kyle and Don.